Norway's Princess Astrid Dies Two Days After Brother's Funeral

Sat Sep 12 2026 07:11:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The 94‑year‑old princess, sister to late King Harald, passed away a day after attending his memorial services.

Princess Astrid of Norway, the long‑serving princess and former first lady, died at age 94, just after attending the funeral of her brother, ex‑King Harald V. Her passing underscores both a poignant moment for the Norwegian royal house and a lingering shadow of recent palace scandals involving Queen Mette‑Marit and a jailed family associate. Princess Astrid’s life was marked by her devoted public service, especially caring for society’s vulnerable, and her health had been deteriorating in recent months, culminating in pneumonia treatment in March. Her death prompts national mourning, half‑mast flags, and a state burial.

Norway's Princess Astrid Dies Two Days After Brother's Funeral

Princess Astrid of Norway, the sister of the late King Harald V, passed away at age 94, two days after confirming her attendance at her brother’s funeral.

Princess Astrid in 2025 — Princess Astrid aged 93 in the final months of her life.

The Crown Prince Haakon VIII, now king, said the princess had consistently represented the Royal House with warmth and courtesy throughout a long and devoted life. Harald V, who reigned for more than 35 years, died in July 2026 at age 89.

Princess Astrid had served as Norway’s first lady for 14 years, from 1954 after the death of her mother Crown Princess Märtha until her brother’s 1968 marriage, maintaining that title until then. Her advocacy focused on compassion for society’s vulnerable groups, as highlighted by her nephew, the king, in his tribute.

In March, Astrid’s health had declined, leading to hospital treatment for pneumonia and further deterioration over the ensuing months. The death of her brother and her subsequent passing closed a chapter of Norway’s public life.

The funeral was attended by dozens of European royals and heads of state, including the Prince of Wales and several Nordic monarchs, and saw thousands of Norwegians lining the procession route from the palace to Oslo Cathedral. Leaders such as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier also paid their respects.

While the royal family mourned, recent revelations cast a shadow over its personal affairs. Earlier this year, documents disclosed that Queen Mette‑Marit had met with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a meeting she later regretted. Additionally, her son Marius Borg Høiby was sentenced to four years in jail for two counts of rape; he remains under house arrest pending appeal and was granted permission to attend Harald’s funeral.

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